New Claims Accepted for September 11 Victim Compensation Fund

September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) Special Master Rupa Bhattacharyya announced at the beginning of August that the VCF is again accepting new claims using a redesigned claim form with an improved online claims system. Individuals who do not have consistent Internet access will still be able to file a hard copy claim using the new form.

The staff for the 9/11 VCF has learned from the past five years how to reduce the number of frequently asked questions and combine the four previous versions into one, simplified form. The VCF staff also solicited input from various law firms that represent VCF claimants and incorporated their feedback into the redesigned system.

The new form results in fewer documents that need to be submitted to support a claim and replaced the multiple certifications and exhibits with a single signature page, according to the Department of Justice website. The online system guides individuals to answer only those questions that are applicable to their specific circumstances and also includes a new “smart” document checklist that identifies the documents a person will need to submit. In general, the new online system and claim form are much easier to navigate and more user-friendly, two key goals the VCF set from the start.

“There is much work yet to be done and I stand ready to help the VCF build upon its successes and move into the next phase of the program with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to the 9/11 community, to provide the deserved compensation to those who have suffered as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001,” said Special Master Bhattacharyya